NAME- SHREYANSHI

SUBMITIED TO- DR. MUNESH KUMAR

COURSE- MA POLITICAL SCIENCE (1ST SEM)
TERM PAPER

POLITICAL MODERNISATION: A COMPREHENSIVE EXPLORATION

Introduction

The Second World War brought about a lot of changes in the study of political
science.The traditional approaches have lost their importance, and some modern approaches and
concepts have emerged, more specifically to study the problems of the newly independent states
of Asia, Africa and Latin America popularly known as the "third world" countries or the
developing countries.Among these, the concepts of political modernization and political
development have assumed great importance in studying the post-Second World War phenomena
in politics.

The term "modernization" cannot be defined precisely. Simply speaking, modernisation

means a transformation of societies from the old to the modern. It is nothing but a movement
from a traditional to a contemporary society. Some of the scholars try to conceptualise political
development as being synonymous with modernisation. But this cannot be regarded as true
because there exist some basic differences between the two. In fact, modernization is one of the
aspects of political development; it constitutes the initial stages of political development in
which a nation tries to become industrialized, urbanized and technologically developed.

Different scholars have tried to define the term "modernization" in different ways. Some
have conceptualised modernisation as a process by which newly independent, underdeveloped
countries and non-industrialised nations try to become industrialized. Some others try to
visualize it as a process whereby new-born nations after the Second World War try to become
"westernized". Some others have regarded it as a general process of change by which societies
respond to the changing environment.

Scholars like Halpern tries to conceptualise modernisation as 'the transformation of

systems'. When dramatic / radical changes occur in different systems like political, social,
economic intellectuals, religious, and psychological, etc., then it can be regarded as
modernization.
Karl Deutsch envisages modernization as 'social mobilisation'- a process in which major
aspects of traditional, social, economic and psychological ties are broken down and people are
ready to accept new patterns of socialization and behaviour.

According to C.E. Welch, when rational utilization of resources is made in order to

establish a modern society then such a process is known as modernisation.
In the words Eisenstadt, "Historically, Modernisation means those types of social,
economic and political systems that have developed in western Europe and North America from
the seventeenth century to the nineteenth century and then have spread to other European
countries and in the nineteenth and twentieth century to the South American, Asian and African
continents".

The term political modernization consists of two words- political + modernization. It

suggests that when modernization occurs in politics, then it can simply be termed as political
modernization. Political modernization is the product of change in the political culture and
political institutions.

According to S.P Huntington when a Political System transforms in the direction of

rationalization of authority, differentiation of structure and expansion of political participation; in
addition to economic development and social mobilization then it can be termed as political
modernization

Political modernization refers to the process of differentiation of political structures and

secularization of political culture which magnifies the capacity and efficiency of a political
system. Political modernization can be studied from three main perspectives:

Historically, political modernization means the entire changes in political structure and
culture which in turn was influenced by secularization, industrialization, expansion of the
involvement and participation of the masses.

Typologically, political modernization indicates the process of transformation of policy

from pre-modern 'Traditional' into a post traditional 'Modern' polity.

From Evolutionary perspective, it refers to enhancing the capability of the political

man/woman so he/she they can develop structures to cope with different challenges and try to
attain new social goals.

CHARACTERSTICS OF POLITICAL MODERNISATION

Application of technology and Mechanization: Modernization begins with the use of

science and technology, as a result of which, a lot of changes occur in human life. Old ways of
lifestyle have been replaced by new ones. Their old dwelling houses have been replaced by well-
built house. Traditional methods of cultivating lands through ploughs have been replaced by the
use of tractors. Earlier people used bullock carts to travel but the application of technology and
mechanization has made a drastic change in this regard. People now can easily make travel with
the help of modern means of transportation like buses, trains and aeroplanes, etc

Industrialization: Industrialization and modernization both are related to each other.

Industrialization is a process of socio-economic change that transformed a human group from an
agrarian society into an industrial society. Now gradually traditional economy has been on the
path of decline and industrial economy is coming up. Invention of new machines and factories
has changed all the aspects of human beings - be it in the field of food habits, dress and culture,
transport and communications and so on.

Urbanization: Along with industrialization, modernization is characterized by

urbanization. As soon as the industrialization process started, people began to migrate from
villages to towns in search of livelihood to earn money, resulting in the growth of urban centres.
Furthermore, the invention of modern means of science and technology has assisted them to
move from rural to urban.

Increase in national and per capita Incomes: Modernization avenues offer more
opportunities to people as well as nations to raise their income. Agricultural economy
supplemented by industrial growth and exporting such products to other countries have
contributed to the increase of both national and per capita incomes.

Modernization is characterized by improving Literacy: Every possible step is taken

by the government to root out illiteracy from the country. Crores of rupees have been spent by
the government in infra-structural development so that each citizen can have access to education
in different stages

Modernization leads to political mobilization: Increased literacy and high growth of

per capita income through modernization encourage the masses to get involved in the political
affairs of the country. The right to vote, the right to contest in election, the right to form
associations and political parties, etc., have facilitated greater political participation in
democracy.

One of the main features of Modernization is development of mass media

techniques: Mass media may be print media like - newspaper, magazines, books etc; electronic
media like movies, radio broadcasting, TV, etc., and different means of transport services like
roads, railways and air services and so on. Through these improvements, people can
communicate with each other which in turn increases the process of interest articulation and
interest aggregation resulting more and more participation in politics.

Modernization brings social mobility: As modernization starts, the people also start to
migrate from villages to the cities in search of better amenities, facilities and jobs. The role of the
traditional village headman has declined, and such a traditional authority has been replaced by
the leaders of different political parties and other organizations.

The spirit of national identity is raised by modernization: The people start to

surrender their narrow and conservative loyalties of caste, colour, sex, religion, etc. Instead,
people identify interests with the interest of the Nation.

Modernization is a complex process because no single factor or single dimension is

involved in the process of modernization. It is a multi-faceted process involving change in all
areas of human thought and activity. Modernization is a global process. This process originated
in Europe and now it has spread all over the world. Thereby, it has now become a world-wide
phenomenon.

Modernization Theory: Evolutionary and Functional

Evolutionary Approach to Political Modernization:

 The evolutionary approach to political modernization is based on the idea that political
systems evolve gradually and continuously over time. Much like the theory of biological
evolution, this approach suggests that societies pass through different stages, each building upon
the last, moving from simpler, more traditional political systems to more complex and modern
ones.

Key Features of the Evolutionary Approach:

Gradual Development: Political modernization is a slow, evolutionary process rather than
a sudden, revolutionary change. Over time, political systems undergo transformations that reflect
broader societal changes such as economic development, social movements, and cultural shifts.

Stages of Development: This approach suggests that political systems pass through
various stages of development. For example, a society might evolve from a traditional monarchy
to a representative democracy, moving through stages of political centralization, bureaucratic
growth, and expanding political participation.

Influence of Social and Economic Change: Political modernization is seen as closely

linked to broader social and economic changes. As societies industrialize and urbanize, there is a
need for more sophisticated political structures and systems to handle these changes. The process
of modernization often includes the establishment of institutions such as political parties,
parliaments, and electoral systems that facilitate democratic governance.

Lucian Pye’s Contribution:

Lucian Pye, in his book Aspects of Political Development, discusses the concept of
political development as an evolutionary process. According to Pye, political development
involves the gradual transformation of political institutions, increasing political participation, and
the development of political culture that supports modernization. The process, however, is not
uniform; different societies experience modernization in their own unique ways depending on
their specific historical, cultural, and socio-economic contexts.

For instance, in countries like India, political modernization involves incorporating the
traditional values of society into a more democratic framework, while in Western nations, the
process may focus more on institutional refinement and participation.

Functionalist Approach to Political Modernization:

The functionalist approach focuses on how political systems develop and modernize to
fulfill the essential functions needed by society. In this view, political institutions and structures
evolve as societies become more complex, and these institutions perform specific functions that
help maintain order, stability, and governance.

Key Features of the Functionalist Approach:

Focus on Functions: The functionalist approach emphasizes the role that political
institutions play in meeting the needs of society. Institutions like the executive, legislature,
judiciary, political parties, and electoral systems emerge and evolve to address specific functions,
such as maintaining law and order, ensuring political stability, and managing conflicts within
society.

Adaptation to Societal Needs: Political modernization is viewed as a response to the

growing needs and demands of a society. As societies grow larger and more complex, political
systems need to adapt to accommodate changes like urbanization, industrialization, and the
increasing diversity of interests within the population.

Institutional Development: The development of political institutions is central to the

functionalist view. Institutions become more specialized and efficient in their roles, and new
institutions are created to address emerging challenges. This might include the formation of
modern bureaucracies, political parties, and courts.

Integration and Stability: The functionalist approach argues that modernization is

necessary for integrating diverse groups within society and ensuring stability. The more complex
a society becomes, the more necessary it is to have institutions that can mediate between
different interests, represent various social groups, and maintain the legitimacy of the state.

Morris Jones and the Functionalist View:

Morris Jones, in The Government and Politics of India, provides a clear example of the
functionalist approach. He explains how Indian political institutions, such as the parliament and
the judiciary, were created to serve the functions of governance in a newly independent country.
As India modernized, these institutions evolved to address new challenges, such as managing
social and ethnic diversity, promoting economic development, and ensuring political
participation.

POLITICAL MODERNISATION AND SOCIAL CHANGE

Modern way of living: When the old way of living changes into modern way for
example replacement of mat with dining table or replacement of pitcher with water cooler

Mass media: Communication through narration replaced by newspaper.

Changes in residence: For the comfort of life change in residence i.e. some people change
their residence in summer to mort rate environment

Urbanization: It means shifted to cities or urban areas from rural. At the time of
independence of Pakistan 87% population were in villages and 13% in urban area but now days
68% rural and 32% urban, this is the sign of modernization.

Change of profession: In the beginning economy was agrarian but due course of time
changed into industrial. From agriculture to non-agriculture is the sign of modernization.

Literacy and education: When literacy of population increases this is the sign of
modernization.
 High per capita income: When the per capita income increases this is the sign of
economic development which lead to modernization become the lifestyle can change through
high income.

Challenges of Political Modernization

While political modernization brings many benefits, it also faces significant challenges.
These challenges can slow down or even reverse the process of modernization, especially in
countries that are still developing. Some of the key challenges include:

• Resistance to Change

One of the biggest challenges of political modernization is the resistance from traditional
elites, cultural groups, or political actors who benefit from the existing system. These groups
may be reluctant to embrace democratic reforms because they fear losing power or influence. In
some cases, they may actively resist political change through protests, political manipulation, or
even violence.

• Authoritarianism and Instability

Rapid modernization can sometimes lead to political instability. As Samuel Huntington

(1968) pointed out, political modernization often leads to instability, especially when political
institutions are not strong enough to cope with the changes. In some cases, political instability
can lead to authoritarian rule or military takeovers, as seen in many developing countries where
the pace of political change outstrips the development of strong democratic institutions.

• Social Inequality

Economic modernization can exacerbate social inequalities. In societies where wealth is

concentrated in the hands of a few, political modernization may fail to create an inclusive
democracy. It is important for political modernization to include policies that address social
inequality, ensuring that the benefits of economic growth are shared by all citizens.

• Globalization and External Influence

Globalization presents both opportunities and challenges for political modernization. On

the one hand, globalization can encourage the spread of democratic values, human rights, and
free markets. On the other hand, it can undermine local political cultures and create dependence
on foreign powers. Many countries struggle with balancing the pressures of globalization with
the need to maintain sovereignty and local political traditions.

Comparative Politics and Political Modernization

The field of comparative politics is integral to understanding political modernization.

Scholars such as Tapan Biswal and Myron Weiner provide insights into how different political
systems undergo modernization based on their unique cultural and historical contexts. In
Comparative Politics Today, political scholars argue that political modernization can be analyzed
through the comparative study of different countries, highlighting both the universal and unique
challenges that different societies face in their political development.

For instance, Myron Weiner’s study of India, in his article India: Two Political Cultures,
offers a comparative approach to understanding how modernization takes place in a diverse and
complex society. He suggests that political modernization in India faces challenges due to its
distinct social and cultural structures, with multiple political cultures coexisting in the same
country. Weiner’s analysis illustrates that political modernization cannot be understood through a
singular framework but must consider the internal diversity of political cultures.

The Role of Culture in Political Modernization

The concept of culture plays a significant role in understanding political modernization.

In societies undergoing political modernization, there is often a clash between traditional cultural
values and the demands of modern political institutions. Homi K. Bhabha’s The Location of
Cultures (1994) explores how cultures interact and influence each other, particularly in post-
colonial societies. He discusses how political modernization in such societies often involves
negotiating between old and new cultural practices.

Political culture also involves the attitudes that people have towards their political
system. In modernized societies, citizens must develop a democratic political culture that
supports participation, accountability, and respect for the rule of law. The successful
modernization of political systems is closely linked to the development of a strong political
culture that values democracy and the active participation of citizens.

Conclusion

Political modernization is a complex and ongoing process that transforms political

systems to meet the demands of modern societies. It involves the development of democratic
institutions, the creation of a participatory political culture, the improvement of governance, and
the balancing of traditional and modern political values. Political modernization also faces
several challenges, including resistance from traditional elites, political instability, social
inequality, and the pressures of globalization.

Through the works of scholars like Lucian Pye, Gabriel Almond, Myron Weiner, and
Samuel Huntington, we gain a deeper understanding of how political modernization works and
the difficulties it can face. The process of political modernization is not a simple or linear one; it
requires careful planning, institutional development, and the cultivation of democratic values to
ensure success.

References

• Almond, G. A., & Verba, S. (1963). The Civic Culture: Political Attitudes and
Democracy in Five Nations. Princeton University Press.
• Biswal, T. (2012). Comparative Politics. Pearson.
• Bhabha, H. K. (1994). The Location of Cultures. Routledge.
• Huntington, S. (1968). Political Order in Changing Societies. Yale University
Press.
• Jones, M. (1994). The Government and Politics of India. University of
California Press.
• Mahajan, D. (1995). Political Sociology. S. Chand & Company.
• Pye, L. W. (1966). Aspects of Political Development. Little, Brown and
Company.
• Weiner, M. (1962). "India: Two Political Cultures." Comparative Politics.

References

• Pye, L. W. (1966). Aspects of Political Development. Little, Brown and

Company.
• Almond, G. A., & Verba, S. (1963). The Civic Culture: Political Attitudes and
Democracy in Five Nations. Princeton University Press.
• Weiner, M. (1962). "India: Two Political Cultures". Asian Survey, 2(4), 193-
198.
• Ginsberg, T., et al. (2011). Comparative Politics Today: A World View.
Pearson.
• Mukherjee, S., & Ramaswamy, S. (2002). Theoretical Foundations of
Comparative Politics. Orient Longman.
• Jones, M. (1994). The Government and Politics of India. University of
California Press.
• Mahajan, D. (1995). Political Sociology. S. Chand & Company.
• Bhabha, H. K. (1994). The Location of Cultures. Routledge.
• Gauba, O. P. (2011). Comparative Politics. Macmillan India.
• Biswal, T. (2012). Comparative Politics. Pearson.
• Verma, S. P. (2003). Modern Political Theory. Vikas Publishing House.
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